The political friction between Prime Minister Al Aminou Lo and his predecessor, Ousmane Sonko, appears to have reached a new intensity. Hours after the Pastef leader’s press briefing in Touba, where he sharply criticized the government’s actions and announced his support for a series of censure motions in the National Assembly, the head of government chose to issue a response via a message posted on the social media platform X.

While not explicitly naming Ousmane Sonko, Al Aminou Lo’s message was widely understood as a direct rejoinder to the former Prime Minister’s assertions. “To attempt to monopolize patriotism for a single faction is, precisely, to betray its very essence,” Lo stated. This reaction followed Sonko’s remarks at the inauguration of Pastef’s headquarters in Touba. Addressing party activists, the former head of government claimed to have received intelligence regarding statements allegedly made by Al Aminou Lo during a confidential meeting.

“Information conveyed to me suggests that during a confidential meeting, Al Aminou Lo reportedly stated his primary focus is now enhancing the business environment. This, he implied, signifies a dedication to meeting the expectations of Western investors and economic partners,” Ousmane Sonko declared. The Pastef leader characterized this policy direction as a form of “sabotage” against the political agenda he champions. Consequently, he announced plans to file a series of censure motions targeting the government led by Al Aminou Lo, aiming, in his words, to impede its operations.